Button attachment device

ABSTRACT

The invention is a button attachment device adapted to attach a button having buttonholes, to a garment. A large range of buttons with small to large buttonholes, regardless of the spacing between the buttonholes.The button attachment device can be used to attach a button to said garment by placing a button in a predetermined position on one side of the garment, placing the button attachment device on the opposite side of the garment, pushing a strand forming a part of the device through the garment and then through one of the buttonholes. Thereafter, pushing the strand through a different buttonhole, and through the garment to the opposite side, Then pushing the strand into a first channel on the device to tighten said button to the garment, and subsequently, the foregoing is repeated for a second strand, and for a second channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for attaching a button to a garment easily and rapidly without the use of a needle or traditional thread.

2. Background of the Invention

It is a reality that from time to time, buttons apparently permanently attached to a garment, come loose and fall off the garment, or becomes broken and unusable. Sewing a button on with a needle and thread, the traditional method, is easy for many people who have experience with a needle and thread, or people willing to take the time to learn the basics of sewing.

For many people who prefer not to work with a needle and thread, professional tailors are available. There are devices invented intended to make the attachment of a button less challenging. The following is a description of some of the patented devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,182 to Seibt discloses an anchor device for attaching a button to a garment in the form of a tiny strap that engages both the button and the garment with the ends of the strap engaging each other by pushing one end into the other end. Seibt requires dexterity to insert the very short straps together.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,795,191 to Jacobson discloses a method of attaching a button to a garment using a bundle of threads attached to a needle at each end of the bundle to pass through the button and the garment in one pass to avoid repeated operations of sewing with thread. The ends with the needles are tied together. The number of threads in the bundle could be unsuitable for a button with relatively small buttonholes.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,343 to Riche discloses an anchoring device in the form of a short thick thread having ends in the form of needles. The needles are used to engage the button to the garment and then the ends of the thread are tied together. The diameter of the thick thread must be suitable for small buttonholes, and the tying of the ends of the thread requires some dexterity.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,468,246 to Hamilton discloses a device having two parts. One part is in the form of a “U” with sharp ends for engaging a button and pushing the “U” through the garment. The other part is also in the shape of a “U” and designed to engage and remain attached to the first part. The act of pushing a device with sharp ends makes this invention potentially dangerous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the challenges of prior art devices for attaching buttons to a garment. The invention is a single unit and enabling the method of attachment to be simple without a demand for good dexterity.

The invention is a button attachment device adapted to attach a button having buttonholes, to a garment. A large range of buttons with small to large buttonholes, regardless of the spacing between the buttonholes.

The device has a base, and a raised portion on one side of said base. The raised portion defines first and second channels extending from one side of the raised portion to the opposite side of the raised portion. The first and second channels are generally parallel to each other and non-intersecting. There are first and second plastic strands extend from the raised portion and the strands are spaced apart from each other. Each of the first and second strands is thicker near the raised portion, and narrows to a point at the respective distal ends of each strands. Each of the first and second strands has a plurality of short elements extending from the out surface of the strand in a direction away from its point. Each of the channels has a narrow portion allowing movement of each of the strands there through easily in a direction one direction, and inhibiting movement of each strand in the opposite direction due to the short elements.

Generally, the button attachment device according to the invention can be used to attach a button to a garment by placing the button in a predetermined position on one side of the garment, placing the button attachment device on the opposite side of the garment, pushing one of the strands through the garment and then through one of the buttonholes. Thereafter, pushing the strand through a different buttonhole, and through the garment to the opposite side. The strand is pushed into the first channel to tighten the button to the garment, and to retain the strand in a locked position. Subsequently, the foregoing is repeated for said second strand.

The invention has many advantages, including being a single unit, easily manufactured, and easy to use. Other advantages will be apparent from the specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the button attachment device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of a portion of the strand shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the button attachment device according to the invention positioned below a garment and a button prior to using the invention to attach the button to the garment.

FIG. 9 shows a cross section of a button attached to a garment with the button attachment device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 show the general external features of the button attachment device 10 according to the invention. Base 11 has raised portion 12, and raised portion 12 has two channels 13, 14 extending from one side of portion 12 to the opposite side of portion 12. The channels 13, 14 are generally parallel and do not intersect. Raised portion 12 is an integral part of base 11. Strands 16, 17 are integral with portion 11 and are spaced apart from each other. Preferably, the strands 16, 17 are positioned at opposite ends of the portion 12.

Base 11 is shown as a circular; however, any convenient shape can be used such a rectangular shape, or a square shape, or an elliptical shape. Preferably, the base 11 is made of a plastic to enable a unitary construction of the device 10. The thickness of the base 11 can be about 0.5 mm, and depends on the mechanical properties of the plastic used to make the base 11. A suitable thickness can be determined experimentally. The portion 11 along with strands 16, 17 can be manufactured as part of the base 11 to minimize the production costs of the device 10.

The portion 12 has channels 13, 14 which can be defined at the time of manufacturing of the device 10. FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of channel 14. A thin band 18 inside channel 14 effectively reduces the diameter of the channel 14. FIG. 6 shows a similar thin band 19 inside of channel 13. The thin bands 18, 19 are necessary to simplify the manufacturing of the device 10 to enable the strands 16, 17 to engage and be inhibited from being removed from the device 10.

FIG. 7 shows details of strand 16. The use of short elements 20 pointing generally away from tip 21 enables the strand 16 to be pushed with point 21 into one of the channels 13, 14 relatively easily, but removing the strand 16 is inhibited by the elements 20 engaging either band 18 or 19. The strand 17 is similar to strand 16. Typically, the strands 16, 17 can be about 75 mm long and preferably have a relatively sharp point 21 to simplify penetration of the garment when the device 10 is being used to attach a button 30 to a garment 32.

The relationship between the diameter of the strands 16, 17, the channels 13, 14, the bands 18, 19, and the elements can be determined experimentally to achieve the desired results.

FIG. 8 shows the position of the button 30 with buttonholes 31 at the desired location for attachment to garment 32. The central portion of garment 32 has been removed to enable a better view of the button 30 and device 10 interaction. The device 10 is positioned on the opposite side of the garment 32. The strand 16 is pushed through garment 32 into the buttonhole 31, and then pushed down buttonhole 33, through the garment 32 and into the channel 13 past the band 19. The excess portion of strand 16 extending out of the channel 13 can be easily removed with a knife, or a scissor. FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of the device 10 after strand 13 has been connected. The same steps are used for strand 17.

It has been shown that the device 10 is a convenient unitary device suitable for very low cost production. Moreover, the use of the device 10 does not require dexterity, or training because the design communicates its application. The size, and low cost of the device 10 makes it suitable for travelers to keep in case of an emergency, a loss of a button.

The patent claims follow: 

1. A button attachment device adapted to attach a button having buttonholes, to a garment, comprising: a base, a raised portion on one side of said base, said raised portion defining first and second channels extending from one side of the raised portion to the opposite side; said first and second channels being generally parallel to each other and non-intersecting; and first and second plastic strands extending from said raised portion and spaced apart from each other; said first and second strands each being thicker near said raised portion, and narrowing to approximately a point at the respective distal ends of said first and second strands; each of said first and second strands having a plurality of short elements extending from said respective first and second strand in a direction away from said respective points; each of said first and second channels each having a narrow portion allowing movement of each of said strands there through easily in a direction one direction, and inhibiting movement of said in the opposite direction due to said short elements; Whereby, said button attachment device can be used to attach said button to said garment by placing said button in a predetermined position on one side of said garment, placing said button attachment device on the opposite side of said garment, pushing said one strand through said garment and then through one of said buttonholes, thereafter, pushing said one strand through a different buttonhole, and through said garment to the opposite side, thereafter, pushing said one strand into said first channel to tighten said button to said garment, and subsequently, the foregoing is repeated for said second strand.
 2. The button attachment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is a unitary construction.
 3. The button attachment device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device has a relatively flat surface on one side. 